Mixing Prints: Leopard on Leopard | Take 2

As promised, I’m back in leopard print, and this time I’m taking a gamble mixing leopard prints!

(Fun filter applied)

In Monday’s post (see here) I admitted that I have not always felt comfortable wearing full on leopard print clothing. An accessory here and there, oh yes, I mean of course – but a full look, um, not so much. I never took out the time to consider why I felt that way, I suppose it’s because I thought it didn’t feel like “Me”. My feelings have changed, and boy am I glad that they have!

I won this Jungle Cat Fit and Flare Dress courtesy of an Eloquii Instagram contest, and it is simply glorious! The bodice has unique faux leather details, while the skirt is super full and generously styled with box pleats.

Being the vintage lover that I am, it seemed only right to pair it with vintage mink accents, and a retro up-do. To accomplish this look, I spiraled my hair with hot curlers, and then pinned it somewhat sporadically with dozens of bobby pins and a few jumbo ones.

My husband says he likes this dress styled best without the vintage accents. 
What’s your opinion: Do you like the added personal touches of vintage fur or not so much?

Oh, and how could I forget to mention my shoes?! My broken toe is just about all healed, which means that I can now step out in fun heels again! I’m in love with this pair of kitties, not only is the style fantastic, but get this: They are comfortable too! That’s a win/win in my book =)

Thank you for stopping in today and for commenting below. Have a great day!

Dress: Eloquii

Mink accents: Vintage (also worn here)

Bracelet: Nordstrom Rack

Cocktail bag: Vintage (worn here)

Sandals: Invanka Trump

P.S. Can you keep a secret? There will be yet another #leopardprint blog post coming up this week ;)

Stay tuned!
Xx

Fall’s Spotted Neutral: Leopard Print | Take One

Why hello there! How was your weekend? Mine was quite full, but enjoyable. I have some great news to share! I mentioned in my last post how unbearable temperatures have been here in SoCal for the past few weeks. Well, I am happy to report that we finally experienced a cool down, and even a cloudy morning or two!!! =) Doesn’t sound like much to be happy about, huh? It may seem strange, but the best thing about the semi-cool down was that I got to play with my fall wardrobe! Yes ma’am, I promptly set about choosing which cool weather items I would wear first. Can you guess what won out?

You hit the nail on the head: Leopard print!!!

Now, admittedly I have not always appreciated the gloriousness that is leopard print. It’s not that I ever disliked it (see example here), yet I shied away from wearing it in its full glory. I was satisfied with an accessory or two. My, my - how things have changed! I now feel a connection to this exotic print, and anticipate pairing it up in new ways. 

This week on the blog, we’ll take a walk on the wild side together ;) Can you say: "Rawr"?!

Until next time style kittens!

Sunnies: Tildon (worn here)

Earrings: Ross Dress for Less

Jacket: Michael Kors

Dress: Ross Dress for Less (see here)

Belt: Came with jumper a few years old

Clutch: Vintage (worn here)

Bangles: Macy's

Boots: Ralph Lauren (also worn here)

Thrift Store Score: Beating the Heat in a Vintage Frock

Hey there fellow Style Lovers!

Can you believe that the weekend has arrived already?! I’m so thankful for it, and to show my gratitude I plan to take full advantage of every single moment of it =)

Today’s post is a short and sweet one, featuring a vintage frock that I wore earlier this week when temperatures were ridiculously H O T! How hot? I’m talking “SMOKING HOT”. You know, that kind of heat that makes you sweat profusely as soon as you step outside of central air - that kind of heat that makes your heart beat faster just from standing still in it for a few minutes - yes - that kind of heat that has the propensity to make you feel infinitely miserable! Such was the sad reality here in SoCal! Admittedly I’m not from these parts, but natives of this land tell me that this particular heat wave was most unusual. LOL! While the rest of the country was basking in Fall-like weather, I was sweltering in an outdoor furnace. Generally I am a fan of heat/warmth, especially when given the choice to be either hot or cold. However, as I creep toward age 40, I notice that my enjoyment of extremely hot weather is slowly beginning to depreciate. Oops, I just went on a rant despite initially saying that today’s post would be a short one! Ok, here we go:

This is a #ThriftStoreScore because of it's cost: less than $1.00 USD!!! Plus I like the style of it: color blocked and a-line, simply FAB! Snagged it while I was in the Midwest a few weeks back =) Come to think of it, I actually had a full-on thrift store haul! Some of the pieces probably won’t be worn until next Summer, nonetheless, they’re at my disposal when I need them ;)

The next picture aptly sums up how I felt about the heat wave.

Fortunately as of yesterday temps are on a downward trend, we're actually experiencing the mid 60s late in the evening/night! 

I wish you a wonderful weekend Beauties!

Sunnies: Bestsey Johnson (worn here)

Earrings: Vintage

Bracelet: Forever21

Dress: Vintage

Belt: Kate Spade (also worn here)

Clutch: Vintage

Metallic oxfords: Tildon (also worn here and here)

Sweet Plum Meets Pastel Blue

Can you believe that there are only 4 more days left in the official Summer season?! 

I say “official” because although some are likely experiencing Fall-like temperatures, here in SoCal we’ve been contending with the 100's (Fahrenheit) and humidity to boot O_O!

What’s a gal to do when she is Fall-ready but the temperatures in her neck of the woods simply will not cooperate? 

There are several ways to handle this type of crisis (LOL), however this time around I worked to style a merger between the two seasons. Who says that you can’t have your cake and eat it too?!

I paired a deep wine colored silk blouse with a summery blue pastel midi skirt. To seal the merger I added a crisp white handbag. This idea was inspired by an ensemble set I saw on YouLookFab! Check it out on my Pinterest board, “I’m Inspired” here. Overall I like this color combination, and plan to try it at least once more. 
Thank you for checking out today's post and commenting below ;) 
Until next time Style Lovers!

Sunnies: Francesca

Earrings: Natasha

Silk blouse: Ralph Lauren (also worn here)

Statement ring: Loehmann's

Bangles: Nordstrom

Pastel blue midi skirt: boohoo

Handbag: Coach (also worn here)

Shoes: Enzo Angiolini

30PlusStyle: Sangria on the Rocks

As a perfect follow-up to Friday’s post Red Hot for Fall, #30PlusStyle returns today (click here to see our last post) and we’re rocking SANGRIA, Pantone’s top forecast for Fall 2014! Follow us on FB: www.facebook.com/30plusstyle. Oh, and check out my FB page too: https://www.facebook.com/InMyJoi1

Let's be honest, is there anyone who does not enjoy a glass of Sangria?! 

I mean seriously, Sangria when made properly is delicious!!! I especially like mine COLD and sweet ;)

In my opinion, the same description fits when it comes to describing dark red colors. Fall 2014 is officially Code Red. Actually the top 10 fall colors for women and men are just about the same, according to Pantone, the authority on the hues used in paint, fabrics and manufacturing.

Sangria is celebratory, yes, even intoxicating. I’m wearing a darker rendering of Sangria; the manufacturer actually calls it “Wine”.  

I am so pleased with this shift in color palettes for Fall, although attempting to dress Fall-like in 100+ degrees Farenheit is a C H A L L E N G E…

I added accessories that speak to my #vintagelove, and that aid in creating an illusion of Fall-like weather. See more of my vintage ensembles by clicking here.
When it comes to wearing red, whether you choose a little or a lot, plug it into your wardrobe and watch things heat up!

There are so many color combinations to try using dark reds, I will share a few of my favorites here on the blog. Follow me to be sure you don't miss a post! Please do share, are you excited about the shift in reds for Fall?

Check out all the #30PlusStyle Babes in SANGRIA today:
www.mode-plus.com
www.grownandcurvywoman.com
www.prettypluspep.blogspot.com
www.pumpsandstudz.blogspot.com
www.thejenesaisquoi.blogspot.com

We're looking for guest bloggers to join us for a future #30plusstyle post. If you're interested, contact us at 30plusstylecollab@gmail.com. Please be sure to include your blog's URL!

Hat: Vintage
Dress: boohoo PLUS
Gloves: Vintage (also worn here)
Clutch: Vintage
Shoes: Nine West

Thank you very much for stopping by and commenting below =)

Red Hot for Fall 2014

Ever since I began picking out my own clothes (I’m told that was about age 4), I have been drawn to the color Red. My uncles quickly nicknamed me “Blood” because more often times than not, the color Red found a place in my daily ensembles. 

My love for the color Red didn’t end during my childhood. As I grew toward my preteens I found that I preferred red nail polish, and then as a full fledged teenager I graduated to red lipstick. The years went by,I accumulated way too many red purses, used a red cell phone for years, and even purchased a red sports car (a surprise from my husband). To make a long story shorter, I find brilliant shades of Red irresistible ;)

As Fall Fashion pours down the pike, I am more than pleased to see variations of Red take center stage. Yes, from fashion runways, to the red carpet at the Emmys, we’ve seen fiery monochromatic looks in Red stand at attention.

Completely on trend, Fall 2014 is at Code Red! Now, some women may not feel confident wearing the color Red. It is after all attention grabbing and very memorable. Other women wear Red generously, but they may believe that certain shades of Red are more complimentary than others. Where do you stand when it comes to Red?

I happily try out every single shade/variation of Red that I can get my hands on. I’m not searching for the perfect shade of Red, I believe that each shade can and will be executed seamlessly, with proper planning :)

This two-piece crop top and maxi skirt features a delicious hue of Red, Aurora Red to be exact. It's from Dress to Kill Boutique (click here).The experts say that “Aurora Red has blue undertones which represent a cooling down of sorts”. Well, whether Red is cooling down or heating up (summer temperatures rage on here in SoCal), I will always be partial to it!

Normally I pair Red with other Reds and or neutral shades. I decided to step outside of my comfort zone for this look. Blogging my style has taught me the joy of deviating from previously defined dressing norms. It is liberating!

My goal in styling a look is simple: to choose what makes me feel happy. With that goal in mind, I went with gold accessories, a hot pink lippie, and matching hot pink striped socks.

(Fun filter applied)

Thanks for stopping by & have a great weekend!

Crop Top & Maxi Skirt: Dressto Kill Boutique (gifted)

Sunnies: Nordstrom

Clutch: Vintage

Socks: Nordstrom

Platforms: Calvin Klein

Faux Wrap Dress and a Turban on Top

What's a gal to do when the humidity reaches 100% and her natural hair refuses to conform to any proposed style?

I decided to try my first run at wearing a scarf as a turban!

I'll be the first to admit that I can certainly use additional practice, but for the first go at it I was pretty pleased :)

The biggest challenge was to smooth out my thick mane underneath, but I think that can be remedied with an additional scarf and or stocking cap underneath.

Since I must wear clothes when going outside, I opted for this faux wrap dress. FYI- I dress up 9 times out of 10! 

This dress has quarter length sleeves which reminds me of Fall, although present temperatures are anything but Fall-like. If you're in the throws of the Fall cool down, a dress like this one is perfect for mild days and chilly nights.  

I added a few accessories and I was ready to face the day ahead. 

Sunnies: Betsey Johnson (worn here)

Earrings: Natasha (worn here)

Statement Ring: Betsey Johnson

Dress: Maggy London

Bangles: Nordstrom

Clutch: Vintage, thrifted

Sandals: Tildon (worn here and here)

Dressing for Less

Unbelievably, September marks my 1 year Blog Anniversary! It has been surprisingly enjoyable, motivational, and even humbling. I decided to take a brief trip down memory lane and I pulled out 3 photos from my archives, that is blog posts from last year about this time. 

I noticed that each photo has a common thread. Did you spot it? All of the photos include an item purchased from Ross Dress for Less!

Now it's certainly no secret, I love obtaining fashionable clothing at a bargain price! Who can deny the instant gratification you feel when you walk out of a store with a great item of clothing (preferably designer) at a fraction of it's original price?! Please do share: What's your favorite bargain stop? 

When I moved to the west coast, I discovered Ross Dress for Less and we became fast friends :) Everything at Ross is priced significantly less than the same brands carried in department stores. Here's a tip: When an item gets marked down additionally as "clearance", the final discounted price can be pretty surreal!

Have you heard about #RossFallFaves ?!  Now through September 26th you're invited to check out their Facebook page each week to vote for your favorite Fall look and enter for a chance to win a $150 gift card! When I heard about this promotion I thought to myself: "Now that sounds like a win/win". You see, not only will you find great Fall fashion inspiration, but you also get a chance to score a gift card that can be used in store to create your very own Fall look(s)!

Happy Bargain Hunting Style Lovers!

Disclosure: I was provided with a Ross gift card. All shared viewpoints are 100% authentically mine.

Digital Confetti

Hey fellow Style Lovers!
This is the very first weekend in September and everywhere that I look seems to sing 'Fall Mode' (in a loud high pitched tone). Have you noticed that? What's a gal to do when the temperatures just aren't quite yet, shall we say: 'Fall-Like'?

I decided to make the best of it, and to wear this colorful number to a family BBQ. 

About a half hour in, while everyone is relaxing out on the deck, a torrential downpour occurs! You guessed it: I'm not in California :)

BTW- My husband was teasing me on this picture and I'm threatening to throw my bag at him ;)

As I've mentioned before, I'm from Detroit, Michigan. I treasure my visits home. This visit has been no different, and interestingly the stormy weather was a highlight because it's been so long since I've experienced it! I never would have imagined that there would be a time in my life where/when rain would actually fascinate me. The benefit of ample rain results in beautiful lush landscapes, something lacking in Los Angeles.

Now the heat and humidity made for an interesting hair story. As soon as I stepped off of the plane I could feel the pouf factor triple on my curly tresses. I had a mental image of a giant cotton ball sitting on of top my head. With few options in mind, I opted for an up-do. My grandma chuckled when she saw me, and then asked how in the world did I pin up all my hair so neatly. My reply? 'With 1000 hairpins of course!'

Now to talk just a bit about what I'm wearing: The digital print on this dress reminds me of a toss up between skittles candy and party confetti. Either way, it elicits feelings of happiness :)

It showcases a frilly, feminine, one-shoulder double tiered ruffle detail with raw edges. Check out the rounded hem,  it's slightly longer in the back. Now I typically don't crush over high-low hem dresses (and only try them when the price is extremely marked down), but I actually like the balance of this design. Truly just about every trend can be mastered to your personal taste, when the proper balance is in place!

That wraps up today's post- have a G R E A T weekend!
Xx
Joi

Sunnies: LA Fashion District

Earrings: Ross Dress for Less

Dress: H&M

Bangles: Nordstrom

Booties: Kelsi Dagger

Clutch: TJMaxx